By Dan Rozman

Photos By Mark Raker

The air was alive with anticipation as Deadheads from across the mid-Atlantic region converged on Baltimore’s Pier Six outdoor concert pavilion on Thursday night May 16th. While it was the opening night of the hugely anticipated Dead & Company residence at the new Las Vegas Sphere venue, those who didn’t travel to Las Vegas found solace at Pier Six. With its picturesque views of the Baltimore Harbor, the venue provided the perfect setting for Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, one of the preeminent Grateful Dead tribute bands, to help reduce the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) for the sold-out crowd.

By the 7 PM start time, the seats under the big tent were filled and loyal fans also packed the pit and the lawn. From the opening notes of the funky “Second That Emotion,” it was clear the band was firing on all cylinders. They effortlessly slipped into the wistful “Cats Under the Stars” before launching into a spirited rendition of the Dead classic “Dark Hollow.” The first set romped along with stellar versions of “Feel Like a Stranger” and “Bertha.” To close the set, guitarist Scott Metzger sang a very Bob Weir-like version of the underrated gem “My Brother Esau.”

While the band’s first set was a crowd-pleasing tour through the Dead’s beloved songbook, their second set is where things got seriously interesting from an improvisational standpoint. The quintessential road song “Tennessee Jed” provided a rip-roaring launch pad for some of the evening’s most exploratory jams.

Keyboardist Marco Benevento and guitarist Scott Metzger were both in top form, trading scintillating licks and motifs. Masterful drummer Joe Russo and dynamic bassist Dave Dreiwitz kept the improvisational engine running smoothly while allowing plenty of space for creative expression. Throughout the night the sound was crystal clear and the light show added to the overall enjoyment of the night.

The second set’s “I Need a Miracle” and “Estimated Prophet” were standouts, with the latter’s ecstatic swirls of guitar providing a launchpad for some truly far-out group interplay. By the time the band landed on the whimsical “Loose Lucy,” the packed crowd was dancing in unison, swept up in the magic.

After a raging “Good Lovin'” set closer, Joe Russo Almost Dead returned for a rousing, fist-pumping rendition of “U.S. Blues” as the encore. As fans streamed out of the scenic outdoor venue buzzing about the phenomenal show, there was little doubt this was a night Deadheads would be talking about for a long time to come.

Setlist Provided by the Band:
Set One 7 PM- 8:15
Second That Emotion >
Cats Under The Stars >
Dark Hollow >
Feel Like A Stranger
Bertha
My Brother Esau

Set Two 8:45 10:15
Tennessee Jed >
I Need A Miracle >
Estimated Prophet >
Loose Lucy
Mission In The Rain
Good Lovin

Encore
US Blues